Reuben the Graduate

Hello Everyone,

This week I bring very good news. One of our good friends Reuben Kosgey graduated from the Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology with a diploma in Accountancy on Friday. We were all fortunate enough to attend the graduation ceremony.

The school that Reuben attended was located just outside of Nakuru town, about 20 minutes from our house. It is also about a 20 minute walk from Ng'ok's house as well. So our plan for the day was to attend Reuben's graduation in the morning, go back to Ng'ok's house for lunch and then go straight to Mawe Secondary from there. The graduation ceremony was very cool, it took place outside at the foot of the college. There were tents set-up in a perimeter around where the graduates seated in the center. The ceremony began with a marching band, then 4 choirs sang and then there was a small fashion show followed by some dancing. It was really fun to see all of this as it was a little different then what you would expect at a graduation in Canada.

Everyone was excited to hear the speeches, because the second President of Kenya, Daniel Moi was due to speak. Once the singing and dancing was over, the introductions for President Moi began. Four different people introduced him, taking at least 25 minutes. It was quite the introduction. While this was going on we had congregated with Reuben in the field beside the ceremony so that we could take pictures of and with Reuben. Reuben was looking very smart in his suit and gown. He was also adorned with what Shauna and Deirdre have called "Tinsel Leis". Reuben was wearing three of these and there was a pink one, a gold one and a purple one. He was quite a decorated graduate.

By the time the intro's for President Moi were finished and he had finally taken the stage we had to go because we needed to eat lunch before we departed for school. So unfortunately we did not get to hear the former President speak, nor did we see Reuben walk across the stage, but it was still a very good time and we were really excited to see Reuben in the gown.

Seeing Ng'ok's house was also very cool. Ng'ok lives on a 40 acre property, where they grow maize and have several cows, a few goats and a chicken coup. Next time we go back to his house we have been told that we will get a chance to milk a cow. Some of us were more excited about that than others, but I'll leave names out of this.

Everyone is doing well here, we all had a great time at Mawe Secondary School, they were very enthusiastic and all the students participated in class very well. Saturday was our VCT testing day at Seet Kobor and Lake Solai. I was amazed at the turn-out that we had of both students and community members. In total 6 counselors were able to test 233 people over the course of the day. It was also a great opportunity for YESS/QHO to interact with the students of Seet Kobor and Lake Solai again. I had some great conversations with some of the students that I had trained. It was positive because we were able to answer any lingering questions that they still and we were also able to get to know some of the students on a more personal level that we would never have had the chance to do in the classroom.

Anyways I hope everyone is well at home, I look forward to talking to you soon and hearing stories from your summers!

David